FOR RELEASE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2012

Speaking publicly is often ranked among many people's top fears, along with snakes and death. The Aries sun and Mercury align to reduce those numbers and help you have the courage to speak what's on your mind. You may also express yourself in other ways — and not because you're brave, but because it's right or necessary.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). It's all about you now. The sun and Mercury in your sign are rooting for you to express yourself and actualize your potential. Family and friends echo the cosmic support.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A seductive character enters your world. There is something terribly engaging about this person, and even though you're not sure you want to get involved, you'll be magnetically drawn in.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You offered advice that wasn't taken. No one wants to hear "I told you so," especially when it happens to be true. Instead, you'll offer compassion and a second chance, proving once more that you're a stellar human being.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). Your memory is strong and undiscerning. You'll recall important facts and less useful ones alike. With all the data swimming in your brain, focus requires more effort for you, but at the same time, you'll be more creative.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You take your uniqueness for granted. You probably don't even realize that you give people the opportunity to participate in situations they normally wouldn't be able to access.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You want what you want, and you're starting to think you might get it, too. Knowing the "why" will bring you closer to your goal — and by the way, that is far more important than knowing the "how."

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You'll get the communication started, fully aware of the difference between a conversation and a monologue. Others, not so much. So you may have to be the one to keep the ball bouncing back and forth.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You'll come across intriguing news from credible sources and will share it to captivate the interest of your friends, colleagues and loved ones. You'll like the level of attention you command.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). The people in charge can be demanding, stubborn and controlling. Step back and think. You'll cleverly find a way around the obstacles and difficulties that authority figures present.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You have the freedom to believe what you want to believe. It's a freedom that people have fought and died for, and you're not about to take it for granted now. You'll feel grateful for this and for your many other privileges.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You benefit from the input of a partner. Meet with someone you trust to help keep you on track with a project. Lay it out on the table, and determine together whether you're trying to take on too much or too little.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Timing is everything. With the moon in your sign, you're in sync with the cosmic clock. The perfect moment to act is when you're thinking about when the perfect moment to act might be. Translation: now.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAY (March 21). You're so clever. Your intelligent action will net you a new position before April is over. You'll negotiate an important deal in May. Your personal life thrives on shared fun through June and July. Travel will connect you with the inspiration you need to begin a major project in September. Aquarius and Sagittarius people adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 30, 2, 55, 29 and 18.

ASTROLOGICAL QUESTIONS: "I hate my job, but I think I'd be a fool to quit. I have a girlfriend who quit her job and has been unemployed for six months! But what am I supposed to do? Just walking into the building takes all of my energy, and sitting at my cubical crushes my soul. I'm an outdoorsy Capricorn, 22 and living with my parents. They will be angry with me if I quit."

Capricorn usually loves a challenge. In your case, the job you've chosen isn't challenging enough, so the challenge becomes making yourself show up with a positive attitude and ready to do good work, a challenge you do not seem to be rising to meet. Perhaps your new challenge should be the difficult task of carrying on an employment search while currently employed. You can do it! And that way you can be sure you're not acting irresponsibly or impulsively. Surely your parents won't be angry with you if you're leaving a job you hate to try something new.

Note that young, savvy Capricorns who are new to the workforce sometimes forget that most people who are in a job they love have been in several jobs they hated. Paying your dues builds character.

CELEBRITY PROFILES: Aries people are known for youth and vitality, and the boyish charms of Matthew Broderick prove the point. In a Super Bowl 2012 commercial for Honda, Broderick brought back his ever-fresh Ferris Bueller character — because he could. This father of three with wife Sarah Jessica Parker was born when the sun and Venus were in energetic Aries, and Mercury and Mars were in artistic, sensitive Pisces.

If you would like to write to Holiday Mathis, please go to www.creators.com and click on "Write the Author" on the Holiday Mathis page, or you may send her a postcard in the mail. To find out more about Holiday Mathis and read her past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.